Raag Malhar

Raag Malhar is one of the Raags used in Guru Granth Sahib Ji. It has got 27^th place and is used from Ang 1254-1293. Our five Gurus – Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Guru Angad Dev Ji, Guru Amar Dass Ji, Guru Ram Dass Ji and Guru Arjan Dev Ji used this Raag. Bhagat Ravidass Ji and Bhagat Namdev Ji has also wrote Bani in this Raag. We also have one of the 22 vaars, Malhar Ki Vaar, in this Raag.

Guru Gobind Singh Ji also wrote a number of Chhands in this Raag in Sri Dassam Granth Sahib Ji and Sri Sarabloh Granth Sahib Ji.

Malhar word is coined from words ‘Mal’ (filth) and ‘Har’ (destroy). It means it destroys filth of mind. Raag Malhar is associated with rain or coolness.

I came to know about an interesting historical event which took place at the time of Akbar and I would like to share it with you. Tansen who was a great musician of his time, was one of the nine gems in Akbar’s court. There were many other musicians in Akbar’s court but none of them were able to compete with Tansen which made them jealous of him. One day they made a plan to remove him from their way. They requested Akbar to listen Raag Deepak from Tansen. Raag Deepak can light the lamps. Akbar wanted to see this wonderful miracle with his own eyes. An important thing about Raag Deepak was that it can light lamps but on the other hand singer also starts burning from inside and he becomes restless. So, if Tansen is not able to light lamps then Emperor will not be pleased and if he is able to then he will burn from inside. Emperor asked Tansen to sing Raag Deepak. Lamps with oil were brought in the court and Tansen began singing Raag Deepak. After sometime heat could be felt in the court and finally lamps started burning. Everyone was amazed and Tansen was rewarded. But Tansen started feeling restlessness. He set out to a journey to Kashmir so as to get relaxed for sometime in a cold and pleasant weather. In his way through Punjab, there was a village nearby where some girls were drawing water from the well. He went there to quench his thirst and asked for water. But still he was feeling as if he is burning from inside. His mind was still restless. One lady said, “Your thirst will not quench from water. It seems you have sung Raag Deepak”. Tansen begged,” You told me the disease, now please cure it”. She sat on the side of well-wall and began singing Raag Malhar. Soon, clouds appeared and it started raining and Tansen began feeling calmness and peacefulness in his heart. Her name was Banno. Then he returned to Akbar’s court where he told everything and appreciated her greatness. Even now, Banurh area is located in that area near Rajpura-Chandigarh road and that well is also famous by Bibi Banno da Khooh (Well of Bibi Banno).

Sant Baba Attar Singh Ji Mastuane wale, who baptized about 14 lakh Sangat, sang Raag Malhar on the request of Sangat and rainfall started. Sant Baba Sham Singh Ji Amritsar wale, who did Kirtan Sewa for about 78 years at Sri Harminder Sahib Ji, also did the same with Saranda and rainfall begun. Similarly, Sant Baba Sundar Singh Ji Bhindra wale, who was the eleventh Jathedar of Damdami Taksal, made clouds to shower rain by singing Malhar Raag. A famous Raagi known as Shromani Raagi Bhai Balbir Singh Ji also did the same on a sunny day at Sri Anandpur Sahib, on the request of Sant Gurbachan Singh Ji Bhindrawale.

I would highly recommend you to listen to this Shabad with eyes closed and you will feel peace within yourself. Bhai Balbir Singh Ji sings this Shabad. The Shabad is 'Hey Gobind Hey Gopal' written by Guru Arjan Dev Ji.